Buffer for high-explosive shells.



No. 634,|0|. Patented Uct. 3, |899. T. R. B. ASHTON.

BUFFER FDRA HIGH E-XPLOSIVE SHELLS.

(Application glad July 23, 1898.) (No Model.)

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FFIC@ THOMAS ROBERT RANEY ASHTON, OF MIDDLE BRIGHTON, VICTORIA.

BUFFER FOR HIGHEXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,101, dated October 3, 1899.

Application filed July 23, 1898. Serial No. 686,697. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

ASHTON, mechanical engineer, a subject ofthe Queen of Great Britain, residing at Lauriston, Church street, Middle Brighton, near Melbourne, in the British Oolony of Victoria, have invented Improvements in Buffers for High-Explosive Shells, of which the following is a specication.

Heretofore it has been found extremely dangerous to discharge shells or projectiles containing dynamite and similar high explosives from ordnance, and particularly riled guns, by reason of their tendency to explode in the bore from the sudden shock of discharge, While the impossibility of obtaining accuracy of iire hitherto with smooth-bore guns has rendered them practically obsolete.

This invention has therefore been devised in order to overcome these objections; and it consists, essentially, in providing an improved form of buffer between the cartridge and shell for absorbing Or relieving the sharpness of the shock of discharge The figure of the accompanying drawing is a central vertical longitudinal section of the shell-buffer and cartridge in the bore of a gun.

A represents a cylindrical buffer composed of granulated cork in an envelop of textile or other suitable material, having at its forward end-that is, the end next the base of the shell-a rubber disk B and at its rear end a disk O, of leather or the like. This buffer, as before mentioned, effectually absorbs the sharpness of the shock of discharge, especially with rifled guns, (which might otherwise cause an explosion. of the bursting charge of dynamite in the shell,) by allowing a certain amount of compression, and this at the same time provides'an efcient gas-check, thereby preventing any scoring of the bore by the rush of gas past the shell. By this means I have found that shells containing dynamite and similar high explosives may be discharged from ordnance with safety and accuracy.

Havn g now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim isl. A buffer for the purpose described, consisting of a mass of elastic granular material and an inclosing case of flexible material.

2. A buffer for the purpose described, consisting of a mass of granulated cork, and an inclosing cylindrical case of te`Xt-ile or other like material.

3. A buffer for the purpose described, consisting of a mass of granulated cork, an inclosing cylindrical case of textile or other like material, and disks B C at the opposite ends thereof.

THOMAS ROBERT RANEY ASITON. Vitnesses:

EDWARD WATERS, EDWARD WATERS, Jr. 

